Hanipa Backs Muda S Zahid Re Indictment Push Umno Leaders Cry Foul

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Former deputy law minister Hanipa Maidin has thrown his weight behind Muda’s campaign to reopen corruption charges against Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, while Umno leaders accuse the party of judicial interference and opportunism.
In a statement today, Hanipa said that Muda has “every right” to launch its re-indictment campaign, citing the legal principle that a prima facie case had already been established against Zahid before he was granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) in September 2023.
“When Zahid was called for defence for 47 criminal charges, it means - in law - the prosecution had successfully proved a prima facie case against him,” Hanipa explained, describing the subsequent DNAA application as “mind-boggling” given the strength of the prosecution’s position.
The legal expert, drawing on his considerable trial experience, noted that when courts establish a prima facie case, “there is a strong likelihood the accused would be found guilty unless he or she is able to come up with a solid defence.”
Hanipa Maidin“Ergo, Muda, in my view, has every right to launch Zahid’s re-indictment campaign,” the former Sepang MP said in a statement.
‘Waste of taxpayers’ funds’
In 2023, Zahid was granted the DNAA on 47 charges of corruption, criminal breach of trust, and money laundering involving Yayasan Akalbudi funds, despite having been called to enter his defence - a legal threshold that typically indicates strong prosecution evidence.
The prosecution, led at the time by Dusuki Mokhtar, who is now the attorney-general, requested the DNAA, citing that his team needed time to allow a more comprehensive and complete investigation into Zahid’s case.
High Court judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah made his displeasure known to the prosecution, adding that taxpayers’ money would be wasted if the prosecution later dropped Zahid’s case.
Collin Lawrence SequerahEarlier today, Muda announced the campaign against Zahid, demanding that the Attorney-General’s Chambers reopen the Yayasan Akalbudi cases.
The party’s acting president, Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz, said the campaign is important as people have the right to know the truth, and that Malaysians want to know “how people in government can get away with it”.
The campaign, she said, would involve a series of demonstrations, talks, and tours across the country.
ADS‘It was the court’s decision’
However, two Johor Umno leaders strongly rejected Muda’s move, with Johor Umno information chief Israk Abdullah warning that the youth party risks “eroding public confidence in the country’s judiciary”.
Israk said that the DNAA was a lawful process decided by the court, after hearing from both the prosecution and defence, and cautioned Muda against purportedly replacing judicial decisions with “political pressure or rhetoric”.
“Malaysia is a sovereign nation with a complete and respected legal system. The DNAA was made by the court after assessing the arguments presented,” he said.
Israk also advised Muda against “sowing baseless hatred” and to instead focus on “mature and fact-based politics”.
He also criticised Amira, advising her to concentrate on serving her constituents rather than seeking national popularity through divisive rhetoric.
Amira Aisya Abdul AzizJohor Umno Youth deputy chief Aswad Ithnain, meanwhile, accused Muda of practising double standards by demanding Zahid's case be reopened whilst remaining silent over legal proceedings involving their own president, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.
“Let us take the case involving Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman as an example. Even though he was charged and convicted, no one attempted to politicise the decision. Everyone accepted that our judiciary is independent and has integrity.
“The act of choosing to question only certain cases, while turning a blind eye when it involves their leader, clearly shows a double standard that does not help strengthen public confidence in the justice system,” Aswad said.
He stressed that no one is above the law and called on Muda to focus on pressing issues such as the cost of living and youth employment rather than continuing to politicise issues that have already gone through legal channels. - Mkini

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